Visiting Jewish Heritages in Istanbul

While you are on International Cruise ship and stop for a day or couple hours in Istanbul Cruise Port, you can join our Jewish Heritage Tour from Cruise Port.

During the history of the city of Istanbul has been three different names; Byzantium as a Greek colony, Constantinople as a Roman city, and Istanbul as of the last days of the Ottoman Empire. For many years, the Ottomans used “Konstantiniye” as a name, which is the state of Constantinople’s name translated into Turkish.

Explore the Jewish Sights in Istanbul Turkey

According to your cruise arrival time, the tour will begin by meeting with the tour guide who will give general information about the places you will see and celebrating Jewish Heritage of Old Constantinople the throughout the tour. The starting point of the tour is Ortaköy also contains memories of important people in terms of the Jewish community. The poet and painter Habib Gerez, who had been a chief Rabbi Secretary for a long time, came to the world in Ortaköy in 1926. It is also a place with the lively district where locals go for a pleasurable time spent at fish restaurants. In the past, the most common neighborhoods of Jews in Istanbul were Balat, Ortaköy, Galata, and Kuzguncuk. Among these were the Balat district, the district where the Jewish population was the largest, and sort of other districts in terms of their experience. So our destination will be Balat after leaving Ortaköy. You will even get the chance to see some of the most important buildings here, with wooden seats, magnificent architecture, and David’s star ornaments. After all, you will visit Ahrida Synagogue; It was built as two synagogues by Romanyot Jews in the Balat district in 1430. The Jews who had to migrate from Spain settled in various Ottoman cities including Istanbul. Later, some of them migrated to Istanbul from these cities. This synagogue was used by Jews from Ohrid, Macedonia. The ceiling of the Ahrida synagogue consists of two parts. The prayer room in the synagogue is an important part. The division is like the Ark of Noah. In the praise section of the Ahrida Synagogue, the Torah, written on the skin of the Aquila, which is mushbooh to eat, is read. You will visit the Neve Shalom Synagogue is the main and most famous synagogue of the Jews in the Karaköy district. This synagogue has been waiting for you with its unique calmness which is built because of the increase in the Jewish population living in Galata and Beyoğlu in the 1930s when a new worship was needed. After visiting Zulfaris Synagogue, you will get a chance to see the Grand Bazaar where you can find any products for yourself from cereals to rugs, tiles to homemade inventories. You can find the most reputable stores with wide collections of jewelry, antiques and oriental rugs.

According to your Cruise Ship departure time, you will be taken back to Istanbul Cruise Port.

Is there any risk to miss my cruise ship If I do not book with cruise line company?

No. The shore excursion will be private that means you will be able to determine the time. We guaranteed to take you back to the cruise ship on time according to your departure time. In case any traffic jam on the way, we will find a different way to take you back.

Are you a legal tour operator for organizing Day Tours from Cruise Port?

Yes, we are legal. We have registered tour company licensed by TURSAB (Associaton of Turkish Travel Agency) License Number: 6250 named Travel Bazaar.

How do I get my confirmation voucher?

When you book it online, We wil send your confirmation voucher in 48 hours after your booking and receiving your payment with the full instruction of the tour and pickups.

When do I have to pay?

You have to pay your tour at the time of booking. You should book your tour as early as possible because on tour date there will be many guests who will travel and book the tour from Cruise Port. That’s why it is very difficult to arrange a guide and driver because of the crowd.

Which currency do you charge?

We charge Euro or USD according to your preference.

How close to departure dates I book the shore excursion?

You can book even a day before but we do not guarantee for availability. Before you book it, please contact us via Whatsapp or by e-mail to check availability.

How much should we tip to guide and driver?

There is no any obligation to tip but it is a good way to show your thanks to guide and driver and there is no any certain minimum or maximum limit. All depends on how much you like the service.

Is it possible to cancel my reservation?

Yes, it is possible. If you cancel your reservation before 2 weeks of departure date there will be only %10 administrative fee of the total amount. If you book it within 2 weeks of departure dates, the full amount will be charged.

Do you have child reduction?

Yes, we have child reduction. When you are booking online the price shown if you insert the child number.

Can we choose stating time for the tour from Cruise Port?

Yes, you can choose because all of our tour from Cruise Ports are on a private basis. In this way, you are able to determine the time.

How do I meet with our guide and driver when we arrive in port?

Once you arrive in Cruise Port, your professional tour guide will wait at the exit of cruise port with a sign your name is written on it. When you meet with your guide, you will exit the port to the road and then you will meet with your driver as well to start the tour.